Ruidoso mayor's nominee rejected by the village council

Councilors cite process for 'no' votes

By Dianne Stallings

dstallings@ruidosonews.com @RuidosoNews on Twitter

Posted:
09/10/2013 05:34:50 PM MDT

Tom Battin (null)

In a 3-2 vote Tuesday, the majority of the Ruidoso Village Council rejected former Lincoln County commissioner Tom Battin, the nominee of Mayor Ray Alborn, to fill the vacancy on the council created by the resignation of Jim Stoddard last month.

Those voting against Battin's nomination, Councilors Denise Dean. Joseph Eby and Gloria Sayers, emphasized that they objected to the process used by the mayor of not divulging the names he was considering for the office in advance, which prevented them from questioning potential replacements and from receiving feedback from the public. Alborn drove home the point that the nomination is up to him, although his choice must be ratified by the council. He did not want to expose those he eliminated from the list to embarrassment, he said.

"I understand the frustration some have with the way the system was designed by the state statute," Battin said after the vote. "I think they really voted against the statute and not me. They are all my friends and I appreciate their dedication to the village and I appreciate them expressing their feelings. I understand."

Alborn began by reading Battin's credentials, including his banking career, community involvement and elected positions. Although a special election could have been called to select the councilor to fulfil the rest of Stoddard's term until March, Alborn said he decided not to spend the $6,000.

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Councilor Rafael Salas offered the motion to approve the appointment, which was seconded by Dean for discussion.

"I labored over this the whole weekend," Dean said, reading from a statement she composed. She said many citizens contacted her about the council agenda packet, which listed the appointment as an agenda item but without a proposed name. Councilors need all the information available on items to make the best decisions, she said. "I was not privy to the names considered or to the final selection. The citizens who contacted me were asking why that information was left out. It was very obvious to everyone that it was intentional, but the question was why."

"It is most difficult to represent our citizens when we as a council were not given the information necessary. I think the process should change. Our citizens expect transparency from their representatives from every item on the agenda and this should be no exception."

She was not afforded her opportunity to speak to Battin and find out why he wanted to serve on the board, she said.

"Now that I see who the nominee is, Mr. Battin, who I respect very much as a leader of our community, I feel assured that he completely understands the nature of my (objection)."

Sayers said she wrote a letter that appeared online at ruidosonews.com and she shared the concerns of Dean and some in the audience.

She received an email today asking for support of the nomination, but, "I don't think there is anybody up here who got elected saying we were going to do the same things the way they always have been done. When we go out for an election, you say we're going to change things and make things better and so (she outlined a way to change the procedure). It would be nice to have the mayor consult with his council on such an important issue because we do represent those people who voted for us."

Alborn reiterated he did not think it was appropriate to publish the names of all those he considered. The qualities he was looking for included not micromanaging, not interfering in the day-to-day operation of the village and staying out of personnel, he said. Battin agreed and represents a lot of things the council needs, he said.

Village Manager Debi Lee also spoke in favor of Battin's appointment, saying it would be beneficial for the staff and that Battin is an "honorable man," who might help stop the assault on the village with threatened lawsuits and appearances on television criticizing the village.

Sayers said her decision was not personal and she had no problem with Battin's reputation, but she said she thinks it more appropriate to select from people who have run for office and shown a previous interest, as she did before she was appointed to replace a councilor who resigned. The mayor seemed to agree when he appointed her, she said.

She subsequently ran for office and won a full four-year term.

"The responsibility is here," Alborn said. "And I have to work with the appointee until March. My goal is to move the village forward without any private or public agendas and back-door activity."

Eby said each councilor was bombarded with emails and telephone calls asking how the council can vote without the name to consider.

"The decision I make today is not based on personality or heart or desire to serve the community, I am basing my vote on the constituents I heard from and their concerns," he said.

Alborn clarified that he had discussed the appointment with Eby before the meeting. Sayers contended she has never had any agenda. She pointed out that the process needs to be changed or if someone else resigns, they will be right back in the same position "with the mayor doing his thing and the council doing our thing."